After 15 years, the Regina Trades and Skills Centre (RTSC) celebrates its wide range of accomplishments and growth for its anniversary.

The RTSC began operations in 2007 with two full-time employees and offered only three courses.

The number of courses grew as they went through every term.

By 2009 they were able to form a board of directors.

The organization quickly grew out of its original location so it moved to a larger location in 2012.

Currently, the RTSC offers 18 different demand-lead training courses and has five and a half employees.

“It has grown substantially, even the number of courses offered, the number of students the number of applications. The things that have stayed consistent is the completion of the students and that remains at 85 per cent and higher and then our employment rate over that time period has been over 90 per cent,” says Brian Shankowsky, Executive Director of the RTSC.

The RTSC offers entry-level short-term courses for a variety of trades in Regina that have a high demand for employees.

“We are demand-lead training which means we talk a lot with the Regina and area industries to determine the area that these individuals and these employers need entry-level workers,” says Shankowsky.

Students receive hands-on training in a real-world environment as they do shop training as well as community projects for non-profit organizations around the city.

After the students complete their training, they then do a 2-week work placement and are assisted in making connections with employers.

Since the RTSC opened its doors in 2007, the centre produces roughly 200 highly-capable employees annually to join the trades force in Regina.

Since the centre has seen a wide expansion, its been able to branch out and offer courses outside of traditional trades work.

“Some of these courses where we’ve diversified a little bit is into places like childcare education, education assistant, personal support assistant which are those working in elder care facilities,” says Shankowsky.

He added that they began offering those courses simply because of the demand for employees in those fields.

As the centre celebrates its high success rate and substantial growth, the RTSC is also celebrating its reputation as a national leader in short-term entry-level skills training.

Consistent high attendance, course completion, and employment rates have all contributed to achieving this honored standard.

In 2015, the Organization for Economic Cooperation & Development stated “Regina Skills and Trades is among the best demand-driven approaches we have seen in the international study”. The study was conducted in 14 countries.

The RTSC was also awarded a Better Business Bureau Torch Award in 2016.

For more information and registration, visit the RTSC website.

Non-profit organizations can reach out to the RTSC by calling 306-337-0533 if labour work is needed.